Free Prophet by Mike Resnick

were suspended a number of jeweled religious charms.
    Sitting next to the chair was a huge animal, basically feline in character, possessed of sleek, rolling muscles, wicked-looking claws, and enormous fangs. Its green eyes narrowed as Lomax approached, and it began uttering a series of deep growls. The man in the white robe uttered a sharp command, and the animal lay down, still glaring at the bounty hunter.
    When Lomax finally came to a halt a few feet away, the man in the white robe stood up.
    "Welcome to my humble quarters,” he said in a rich, deep voice. “I am Moses Mohammed Christ, known to true believers as the Anointed One."
    "I'm pleased to meet you, My Lord,” answered Lomax, bowing deeply at the waist.
    "Does my pet disturb you?"
    "Not if he's a pet."
    "No one else may approach him without losing a limb,” said the Anointed One, gently stroking the creature's head. “But as you see, I touch him with impunity."
    "So I see,” said Lomax.
    "If I were to tell him to attack you, he would tear your throat out in less than a second,” continued the Anointed One.
    "Perhaps,” agreed Lomax. “But if you told him to attack me, who will you get to kill the Iceman for you?"
    The Anointed One smiled. “I like you, Mr. Lomax."
    "Thank you, My Lord."
    The smile vanished. “Why do you wish to kill Carlos Mendoza?"
    "I don't especially want to kill him,” replied Lomax. “Killing people is dangerous work. I'd be just as happy to take a million credits from you not to kill him ... but I don't suppose you'd care to pay me for not working, would you?"
    "This is not a matter for levity, Mr. Lomax,” said the Anointed One sternly, and the feline creature, sensing his anger, fidgeted uneasily. “It is essential that Carlos Mendoza be eliminated."
    "Why?"
    "That is none of your concern."
    "Before I accept a commission, I always like to know why I'm being asked to kill someone."
    "Thus far you have accepted commissions only from normal men."
    "And you are not a normal man?"
    The Anointed One opened his mouth. “Between my teeth is the space.” He pointed to his ear. “On my left ear is the mole, on my right shoulder is the birthmark. I was born on the fourth day of the fourth month, and the sun was hidden by the moon. There can be no doubt that I am the Anointed One."
    "Meaning no disrespect, My Lord,” said Lomax, “but granting that you are the Anointed One, just what exactly does that mean?"
    "I am he whom the race of Man has awaited for lo, these many eons. It is my destiny to unite the race, to bring order out of chaos, to expand Man's dominion to the farthest reaches of the galaxy."
    "I though the Democracy was doing just that."
    "I forgive you your disrespect, for you are not yet a true believer,” said the Anointed One. “But know that the Democracy is merely my forerunner, that now that I have arrived upon the scene, the Democracy's days are numbered. God has chosen me to be His conduit to the race of Man, to rule them as He wishes them ruled. Do you see the throne upon which I sit?"
    "Yes."
    The Anointed One's face took on a fanatical glow. “God has instructed me to rule the galaxy from this throne, to bring it with me to Sirius V and to Earth and ultimately to place it in a palace that I will build upon Deluros VIII, from which I shall finally fulfill my destiny and rule His vast domain."
    "It sounds as if you've got your work cut out for you,” said Lomax noncommittally.
    "I am closer to completion of the Almighty's design than you might think,” replied the Anointed One with absolute conviction. “More than 200 worlds have already pledged their allegiance to me, and even as we speak my followers are converting the masses upon thousands more."
    "Why should a man who controls hundreds of worlds and tens of millions of followers, and who plans to take over the capital work of the Democracy, be concerned with a tavern owner far out at the edge of the Inner Frontier?” asked Lomax, honestly curious.